Sermons on African Persecution:

The Joy Of Persecution? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 20, 2018

Paul said that he hoped that he might share in Jesus' suffering. Seriously? Why would he want that?

An extremely nervous patient came for root canal surgery. He was made comfortable in the reclining dental chair a numbing agent was injected around the tooth, and then the dentist left the room for a few minutes while the medication took hold. When the dentist returned, the patient was standing ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Persecution Paradox Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

We shouldn’t be surprised when persecution comes. In fact, Jesus closes out the section of the Beatitudes with a paradox. We will be persecuted. It’s inevitable. But the blessing we will receive is out of this world!

The Jesus Manifesto: The Persecution Paradox Matthew 5:10-12 Chenoa Baptist Church Pastor Jefferson M. Williams It Has Begun It’s been fourteen months since that fateful day in September 2026. In a landmark, unprecedented seven to three vote, the Supreme Court labeled Christianity a “hate ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Wrath And Persecution

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2018

Belief in Jesus Christ must be accompanied by obedience to His word.

Thursday of Second Week in Easter 2018 Reformation/Revolution When will humans learn that murdering one’s enemies is not only morally sinful, it’s a really, really bad idea just on a secular level. For the first three hundred years of the Church’s existence, the enemies of the Church, from the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:31-36, Acts 5:27-33

Denomination: Catholic

Handling Persecution Series

Contributed by Bill Brazell on Mar 1, 2016

Persecution has always been a part of following Christ. Don’t react harshly to persecution. Be filled with the Spirit. Use persecution as an opportunity to be a witness for Christ. Be obedient to God above all. Draw together with the church in prayer and fellowship to complete the mission.

Completing the Mission that Jesus Began Handling Persecution Acts 4:1-33 Dec 9,2012 Evangelism, ministry In Chapter 3 of Acts, Peter and John healed a crippled man. A crowd gathered and Peter and John stood and proclaimed Jesus as Messiah and God. The one that the rulers and people had demanded be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Persecuted: Why? Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 1, 2023

The Beatitudes are a beautiful picture of the character of Christ and of consecrated Christians. Why would such a lifestyle depicted in the first seven beatitudes provoke persecution rather than admiration and esteem?

Intro In our study of the Beatitudes, we come to the eighth beatitude. It is recorded in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”i The reward declared in this final beatitude is the same as declared in the first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 10:1-32, Ephesians 6:12, Proverbs 29:27, Luke 4:1-34, Ephesians 5:1-6, Acts 3:12-19, Acts 2:1-20, Acts 4:1-12, Matthew 10:32-36, 2 Corinthians 5:1-20, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:11-20, Matthew 5:13-16, John 15:1-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 8, 2023

Will we experience increased persecution in the days ahead? If so, will we respond in a way that facilitates the work of the Holy Spirit, or will we respond in the flesh, pursuing worthy goals in an unworthy manner? Message examines biblical revelation of how to respond.

Intro Persecution: Will we experience increased persecution in the days ahead? If so, will we be prepared and equipped to handle it well? These are questions that naturally arise as we read our text today. It’s found in Matthew 5:10--12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-26, John 3:19-20, 1 Peter 2:1-24, 1 Corinthians 4:11-18, Acts 5:41, Matthew 5:44, 2 Timothy 4:1-6, Matthew 13:1-21, Hebrews 10:26-29, Mark 8:34, 2 Timothy 2:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Benefits Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 16, 2023

In this exposition of Jesus's 8th Beatitude ("Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake"), we explore biblical revelation as to why persecution is a blessing, more specifically, what are the benefits of persecution for God's people.

Intro We are considering the 8th Beatitude in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Persecution is a major theme in Scripture. We see it in the first family; it runs all through the Old and New Testaments; and in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 John 3:12, John 16:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 24:9-14, Acts 14:22, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Acts 8:1-4, Mark 13:11, 1 Peter 5:10, Job 23:10, Isaiah 43:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Preparations For Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 22, 2023

Will persecution against Christians intensify in the days ahead? If so, will we be ready to stand strong in our testimony of Christ? This message processes seven preparations we should be making now.

Intro We have been discussing the final, eighth, beatitude found in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”i Last week we addressed two preparations for potential persecution. First, expect it. It will happen in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:12, Genesis 3:1-6, Acts 21:10-40, Mark 8:34, Numbers 25:1-16, Jeremiah 12:5-6, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 26:18, Matthew 10:19-20, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 29:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

THE BEATITUDES: These teachings are not just suggestions, but the COMMANDS of Christ our Lord about what every disciple ought to be. One of the things that the Church will be in the last days is......PERSECUTED.

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Birthmark Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 23, 2022

Persecution stems from the world's anger with God and not being able to take it out on Him. The world wants to fight God, but choose to fight with Christians. Remember it is not personal, it is hatred for God.

This is the final message on the Beatitudes, the Birthmarks of the Believers. Jesus was the Messiah, but He was not the Messiah everyone was expecting. The Jews were in bondage. They believed that when He came, He was going to come as a mighty warrior. They were not as interested in being saved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Persecution is the flip side of peace-making. If we live out the first 7 beatitudes, this one, the 8th, follows on their heels as surely as water flows downhill.

About 35 years ago, a Romanian pastor came to visit the church I belonged to, a nice white church in a rich western suburb of Minneapolis. He had gotten to know my pastor, who had been involved in a Bible-smuggling ministry when the Iron Curtain was still up. Pasor John asked him what he thought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Great Persecution Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Dec 4, 2024

It has been said; “You are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready to return into a trial.”

“Great Persecution” Acts 8:1-4 It has been said; “You are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready to return into a trial.” We are reminded by Jesus that trials are part of our lives. Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecution Of The Godly Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 17, 2024

In this sermon we'll explore why ungodly people attack godly people and what the Bible has to say about this phenomenon.

As believers, we are not immune to persecution and attacks from ungodly people. In fact, the Bible teaches us that we can expect to face opposition and hostility from those who do not share our faith. In this sermon we'll explore why ungodly people attack godly people and what the Bible has to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-14, Psalm 18:2

The Persecution Of The Godly Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 31, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical reasons why some people hate godly people and say unkind things to them.

As followers of Christ, we are not immune to persecution and hatred from others. In fact, the Bible warns us that we will face opposition and hostility from those who reject God and His teachings. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical reasons why some people hate godly people and say unkind ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14, Matthew 5:44

Be Ready For Persecution

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 25, 2025

When facing persecution, Jesus' disciples (believers) must have endurance and wisdom, be certain to look like Jesus, preach the Word fearlessly, and trust that God is in control. What have we to fear when our life is in His hands?

I would like to open with an illustration from the book Jesus Freaks: Jaun and his wife Maria felt God calling them to become missionaries in Columbia. Once, while travelling between villages, Jaun met about fifty armed guerillas. He took the opportunity to share the gospel with them, and twenty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:21-31

Denomination: Baptist